Dolphin pile



July 30, 1929. H. oBERscHuLTE 1,722,574

' DOLPHIN PILE Filed April 19. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 30, 1929. H.OBERSCHULTE DOLPHIN FILE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19. 1927 PatentedJuly 30,1929;

HERMANN OBERSCHULTE, ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY.

DOLPHIN PILE.

Application filed April 19, 1927, Serial No. 185,031, andin GermanyMarch 4, 1926.

An important point in connection with the should also possess a maximumof elasticity,

so as to be able toabsorb the kinetic energy of vessels mooredalongside. Many dolphin piles as hitherto constructed have, however, notmet with, any great'success because they lack this requisite'elasticity.Y

The present invention obviates this drawback inasmuch as the dolphinpile is made of sheet metal pile members rammed together to form a'hollow structure. As a result of the numerous joints between-theindividual pile members a certain mobility is produced and,consequently, a high degree of elasticity.

Obviously the choice of the individual sections must be made with regardto the obj ect in view. As a rule, considerable value will be attachedto the production of a structure having a smooth surface free fromprojecting locking parts, for which reason the sections used must besuch that the joints are situated either in the neutral axis, or on oneside throughout. If a particularly strong' pile is required, it isadvisable to employ socalledbox sections.

After ramnfing' the sheet piling may also be strengthened by anchoringin the ground.

Further, it is advisable, though not absolutely necessary, to'fillup-the cavities of the sectionsand the interior of the structure with afilling material such as sand, concrete or the like. Whether and to whatextent con crete filling is employed in individual cases will depend onthe intended use.

A cover. or-capp'ing may be used to close the top of the structure."Said capping is preferably of ferro-concrete, the reinforcing irons ofwhich are anchored to the upper part of the sheet piling- The rings andthe like, required formooring thevessels, may be easily attached to saidcapping in any convenient manner.

By" way of example, two constructional forms of dolphin pileinaccordance with the invention are illustrated diagrammatically on theaccompanying drawing to-which ref- ,erence will now be made.

Fig. 1 is a partial plan view of one form. to a'sufiiciently large scaleto show the interconnection of the individual pile members of thestructure.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of this form to a smaller scale and illustratesthe closed structure formed by the interlocked pile members.

Figs. 3 anu 4 are views, similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, of thesecond illustrated form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a completed pile with parts in section.

As shown, a plurality of sheet metal pile members; denoteda in Figs. 1and 2 and bin Figs. 3 and 4, are rammed in known manner and sointerlocked with'one another to form a closed structure. In order toobtain the 1 requisite curvature, the sheets are slightly bent inwardswhen being trued up after. rolling.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the individual pile membersare of boxlike section and the several interlocking joints are-alldisposed on the inner peripheral circle of the .closed or hollowstructure formed by them. This arrangement gives a particularly strongpile, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Inv the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the individual pile membersare all of the same section but adjacent members are arranged in reverseorder and the several interlocking joints are disposed along the neutralaxis.

Either construction produces a dolphin pile of great mechanical strengthyet having the requisite mobility and elasticity to absorb the kineticenergy of vessels moored thereto.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, a hollow pile structure formed in the mannerherein described may be filled in with earthy material denoted by thereference 0 and surmounted by a capping d which capping holds themooring devices e.. In this figure, the capping is shown as aferro-concrete capping, and it will be seen that the reinforcing barsthereof are secured to the upper ends of the pile members. The mooringrings e are connected t the upper ends of reinforcing bars 6 embe ded inthe cap and pile body.

The sphere of application of the invention is unlimited and it will beapparent that dolphin piles for all kinds of purposes can be constructedin accordance therewith.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. A dolphin pile comprising a tubularenclosing structure and a filling of earthy I material, the enclosingstructure being comp osed of a plurality of similar arched relatrvelynarrow vertically extending sheet cular structure with the convexsurfaces ofthe members outwardly, the members connected at theiradjacent edges, and said connections being spaced inwardly from theperimeter of the completed structure, whereby said perimeter is composedof a relatively lar e number of relatively narrow engaging surfacesproviding a protection for the connections.

2. A dolphin pile comprising a tubular enclosing structure and a fillingof earthy material, the enclosing structure being composed of aplurality of similar arched relatively narrow vertically extending sheetmetal pile members arranged to form a circular structure with the convexsurfaces of the members outwardly, the members connected at theiradjacent edges, and said connections being spaced inwardly from theperimeter of the completed structure, whereby said perimeter composed ofa relatively large number of relatively narrow engaging surfacesprovides a protection for the connections, and a ferro-concrete cappingclosing the top of the structure and provided with mooring membersanchored thereto and to the filling.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

HERMANN OBERSCHULTE.

